System, method, and apparatus for extending wireless personal area networks using conferencing connection

ABSTRACT

A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed whereby a wireless Personal Area Network such as a Bluetooth piconet may be extended to a remote location beyond the normal range by means of a conferencing connection. The conferencing connection may comprise, for example, one or more ISDN lines or an IP connection between two or more conference endpoints. The broadband connection may include a video channel, an audio channel, a control channel, and a Bluetooth channel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to conferencing, and moreparticularly, to extending the range of wireless piconets or wirelessPersonal Area Networks (PANs) by use of a conferencing connection.

2. Description of the Related Art

Audio conferencing and video conferencing enable geographically remoteindividuals or groups to communicate with each other from theirrespective locations. Conferencing serves a valuable purpose by reducingthe time and expense required by traveling to meet in person.Accordingly, teleconferencing enables increased profitability,productivity, and efficiency within or among organizations. Conferencingalso allows enterprises to speed decision-making and empower dispersedteams. Conferencing is particularly beneficial in the fields ofbusiness, medicine, education, and government.

In audio conferencing, speakerphones are examples of endpoint devicesused to enable audio communication between participants at two or moresites. An example of a speakerphone can be found in the POLYCOM®SOUNDSTATION® line of products. Video conferencing offers the additionalability to communicate graphic information and to view the facialexpressions and body language of the conference participant(s) locatedat a remote site. Video conferencing offers the benefits of face-to-facecommunication without the inconvenience, expense, and uncertaintyassociated with traveling. An example of a video conferencing unit canbe found in the POLYCOM® VIEWSTATION® line of products.

It is often desirable to share data with remote participants during aconference. Video conferencing and collaboration, together with datasharing and collaboration, allow increasingly dispersed organizations topull their human and information resources together to create new waysof working and interacting. A video conferencing system can provide arich and effective collaborative environment, even though participantsmay be thousands of miles apart.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Wireless devices are becoming increasingly prevalent. Eliminating wiresoffers flexibility and mobility, and eliminates clutter. Huge sums havebeen invested worldwide on wireless technologies and standards. Currentwireless technologies, such as Bluetooth, 802.11, and IR (infrared), arelimited, however, for use within a restricted range.

A need has therefore arisen to provide conferencing solutions thatovercome the deficiencies of the prior art. Embodiments of the presentinvention advantageously combine features of long-distance audio andvideo conferencing with features of short-range wireless technology.

A video conferencing unit establishes a wireless piconet in the vicinityof the video conferencing unit. When engaged in an audio or videoconference with one or more remote conferencing units, the piconet maybe extended to include the remote locations using the data channelsemployed by the video conferencing system. In this way, devices inwireless communication with any one of the conferencing units canconnect to a remote piconet to receive and/or transmit data over theconference connection. Embodiments of the present invention provide aBluetooth bridge that allows virtual physical proximity.

Thus, during an audio or video conference, another mode of communicationis advantageously provided, wherein remote devices can communicatewirelessly as if they are in the same room. For example, a wirelessdevice at a near end can wirelessly transmit data to a near-end videoconferencing unit, which sends the data via a conference connection to afar-end conferencing unit, which wirelessly transmits the data to afar-end wireless device. Examples of such wirelessly transmitted datainclude electronic business cards, images, Bluetooth pen data, Bluetoothwhiteboard data, phone numbers, video numbers, calendar data, addressbook data, keyboard data, mouse data, audio from a wireless microphone,audio to a wireless loudspeaker, etc. Embodiments of the presentinvention therefore improve and enhance collaboration among remotelylocated parties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a conferencing system in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of an exemplary video conferencing systemin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of an exemplary video conferencing unitin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which depicts awireless-network-enabled conference endpoint 100 at a first physicallocation 105 (Site A). Endpoint 100 may comprise awireless-network-enabled video conferencing unit (VCU). An exemplaryblock diagram of a suitable video conferencing unit is depicted in FIG.3. In other embodiments, endpoint 100 may comprise awireless-network-enabled audio conferencing unit without videocapability. For example, endpoint 100 may comprise awireless-network-enabled speakerphone comprising the components of theVCU of FIG. 3, excluding any video channels, video encoders, videodecoders, video monitors, and video cameras.

Endpoint 100 is capable of establishing a radio-frequency Personal AreaNetwork 110 (PAN A) with one or more similarly enabled devices 120, 130,and 140. In some embodiments, the one or more devices 120, 130, and 140may comprise Bluetooth-enabled devices capable of short-range wirelesscommunications according to the Bluetooth standard. The one or moredevices 120, 130, and 140 may comprise such devices as, for example, aPersonal Digital Assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a printer, a laptop, adisplay device, a projector, a camera, a Bluetooth whiteboard, aBluetooth pen, a speaker, a microphone, a headset, a keyboard, a mouse,and any other devices capable of communicating wirelessly in a PAN. PANA 110 is not limited to a Bluetooth piconets and may, for example,comprise an Ultrawide Band (“UWB”) network or other suitable network. Inother embodiments, infrared (IR) or 802.11 communications may be used.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is a wireless-network-enabled conference endpoint150 at a physical location 155 (Site B) which is remote from location105 (Site A). Endpoint 150 may comprise a wireless-network-enabled videoconferencing unit 150. An exemplary block diagram of a suitable videoconferencing unit is depicted in FIG. 3. In other embodiments, endpoint150 may comprise a wireless-network-enabled audio conferencing unitwithout video capability. For example, endpoint 150 may comprise awireless-network-enabled speakerphone comprising the components of theVCU of FIG. 3, excluding any video channels, video encoders, videodecoders, video monitors, and video cameras.

In one embodiment, endpoints 100 and 150 are capable of audiovideo (AV)and data communication via a conference connection 145. The conferenceconnection 145 may comprise a video channel, an audio channel, a controlchannel, and a Bluetooth channel. The conference connection 145 maycomprise, for example, one or more ISDN (Integrated Services DigitalNetwork) lines, an Internet Protocol (IP) connection over a Local AreaNetwork (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), or the Internet, or any othersuitable data communications means such as a fiber optic connection,microwave, or satellite link, etc. Any IP-based standard may beemployed, whether now known or later developed. Examples of presentlyknown IP-based standards include without limitation Real Time TransportProtocol (RTP), Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), Session InitiationProtocol (SIP), H-Series (e.g., H.323, and H.324, etc.), and T-Series(e.g., T.120, etc.), among others. In other embodiments, wherein audioconferencing is enabled and video conferencing is not, conferenceconnection 145 may comprise, for example, a VoIP (Voice over InternetProtocol), SIP, or ISDN connection.

Endpoint 150 is capable of establishing a wireless Personal Area Network160 (PAN B) with one or more devices 170 and 180. PAN B 160 may comprisea Bluetooth piconet. The one or more devices 170 and 180 may comprise,for example, Bluetooth-enabled devices capable of short-range wirelesscommunications using the Bluetooth system. The one or more devices 170and 180 may comprise such devices as, for example, a Personal DigitalAssistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a printer, a laptop, a display device,a projector, a camera, a Bluetooth whiteboard, a Bluetooth pen, aspeaker, a microphone, a headset, a keyboard, a mouse, and any otherdevices capable of communicating wirelessly in a PAN.

Using connection 145, PAN A 110 may be linked to PAN B 160 such thatdevices 120, 130, 140, 170, and 180 (and any other devices which mayjoin PAN A or PAN B) are in data communication with one another. Videoconferencing connection 145 therefore allows virtual physical proximityof devices that are hundreds or thousands of miles away.

While FIG. 1 depicts a point-to-point conferencing system, the systemcan be scaled to provide for multipoint conferencing, in whichadditional video conferencing units are linked by connection 145.Connection 145 may comprise a multipoint control unit (MCU) to enablemultiple video conferencing units to join in a single video conference.In a three-party conference, for example, wherein each PAN comprises aBluetooth piconet, the maximum number of devices in each PAN is tripled.

Bluetooth is a standard and a specification for small form-factor,low-cost, short-range radio links between mobile PCs, mobile phones,peripherals, and other portable devices. Unlike conventional radiooperator networks, a Bluetooth piconet does not require an access pointand, unlike infrared communication (e.g., per the IrDA standard),Bluetooth does not require a line-of-sight connection.

Bluetooth devices can function in circuit switched mode and packetswitched mode. Circuit switched mode is the most common mode for voicecommunication, while packet switched mode is usually preferred forInternet data and higher bandwidth mobile communication systems.

A Bluetooth Personal Area Network includes a master and up to sevenslaves, thereby permitting the interconnection of up to eight devices ina limited radius (e.g., 10 meters). In a process referred to as DeviceDiscovery, the master seeks devices by broadcasting requests; thoseslaves which are in a “discoverable” state answer with theiridentification numbers. Data encryption is available for those users andapplications that require additional security.

Bluetooth profiles are published definitions of implementations ofBluetooth wireless technology for particular uses. Profiles are the“services” offered by a device. In order for two Bluetooth-enableddevices to interoperate to complete a user task, both devices mustimplement a set of common profiles.

The signal transmitted by the Bluetooth link may be either half-duplexor full-duplex. Full duplex links in a Bluetooth piconet can send dataat more than 64 Kbps—a speed sufficient to accommodate several voicechannels. A half-duplex link can be established with a data rate of 721kilobits per second in one direction and 57.6 Kbps in the other. If ahalf-duplex link having the same speed in both directions is required, alink with 432.6 Kbps in each direction can be made.

Unlike many other wireless standards, the Bluetooth wirelessspecification includes both link layer and application layer definitionsfor product developers which support data, voice and content-centricapplications.

The Bluetooth protocol architecture is further described in theBluetooth specification. The contents of the most recent BluetoothSpecification Rev v2.0+EDR, dated Nov. 4, 2004, which can be found athttp://www.bluetooth.com, are incorporated herein by reference. Theprinciples of various embodiments of the present invention may be used,however, with prior and next generations of the Bluetooth specification.

The Bluetooth specification may be described as a protocol stack withthe Bluetooth Radio layer as its base. The radio layer defines therequirements for a Bluetooth transceiver operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM(industrial, scientific and medical) band. A transceiver that takes partin a power-controlled link must be able to measure its own receiversignal strength and determine if the transmitter on the other side ofthe link should increase or decrease its output power level. A ReceiverSignal Strength Indicator (RSSI) makes this possible. The instructionsto alter the transmitter power are carried in the LMP (Link ManagerProtocol) link.

Above the radio layer in the Bluetooth stack is the Baseband layer whichdescribes the specification of the Bluetooth Link Controller (LC) whichcarries out the baseband protocols and other low-level link routines.The baseband is the physical layer of the Bluetooth stack. It managesphysical channels and links apart from other services like errorcorrection, data whitening, hop selection and Bluetooth security. Thebaseband protocol is implemented as a Link Controller which works withthe link manager for carrying out link level routines like linkconnection and power control. The baseband also manages asynchronous andsynchronous links, handles packets and does paging and inquiry to accessand inquire Bluetooth devices in the area. The baseband transceiverapplies a time-division duplex (TDD) scheme (alternate transmit andreceive). Therefore, apart from the different hopping frequency(frequency division), the time is also slotted.

Thirteen different packet types are defined for the baseband layer ofthe Bluetooth system. Each packet consists of three entities: the accesscode (68/72 bits), the header (54 bits), and the payload (0-2745 bits).Access codes are used for timing synchronization, offset compensation,paging and inquiry. The header contains information for packetacknowledgement, packet numbering for out-of-order packet reordering,flow control, slave address and error check for header. The packetpayload can contain voice field, data field or both. If it has a datafield, the payload will also contain a payload header.

A Bluetooth controller operates in two major states: Standby andConnection. There are seven sub-states which are used to add slaves ormake connections in the piconet. These are page, page scan, inquiry,inquiry scan, master response, slave response and inquiry response. TheStandby state is the default low power state in the Bluetooth unit. Onlythe native clock is running and there is no interaction with otherdevices. In the Connection state, the master and slave can exchangepackets, using the channel (master) access code and the master Bluetoothclock.

The Link Manager carries out link setup, authentication, linkconfiguration and other protocols. It discovers other remote LinkManagers and communicates with them via the Link Manager Protocol (LMP).To perform its service provider role, the Link Manager uses the servicesof the underlying Link Controller (LC).

The Link Manager Protocol essentially consists of a number of PDU(protocol Data Units), which are sent from one device to another,determined by the AM_ADDR in the packet header. Link Manager PDUs arealways sent as single-slot packets and the payload header is thereforeone byte.

When a connection has been established between two Bluetooth devices,the connection consists of an ACL link. One or more SCO links can thenbe established.

Each Bluetooth link has a timer that is used for link supervision. Thistimer is used to detect link loss caused by devices moving out of range,the power-down of a device, or other similar failure. An LMP procedureis used to set the value of the supervision timeout.

The Host Controller Interface (HCI) provides a command interface to theBaseband Link Controller and Link Manager and access to hardware statusand control registers. It provides a uniform command method of accessingthe Bluetooth baseband capabilities. The HCI Link commands provide thehost with the ability to control the link layer connections to otherBluetooth devices. These commands allow the Link Manager to exchange LMPcommands with remote Bluetooth devices.

The Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP) is above theBaseband Protocol in the Bluetooth stack and resides in the data linklayer. It supports higher level protocol multiplexing, packetsegmentation and reassembly, and the conveying of quality of serviceinformation. L2CAP permits higher level protocols and applications totransmit and receive L2CAP data packets up to 64 kilobytes in length.Both Synchronous Connection-Oriented (SCO) links and AsynchronousConnection-Less (ACL) links are supported. L2CAP is packet-based, butfollows a communication model based on channels. A channel represents adata flow between L2CAP entities in remote devices. Channels may beconnection-oriented or connectionless. L2CAP relies on the flow controlmechanism provided by the Link Manager layer in the baseband.

The RFCOMM protocol provides emulation of RS-232 serial ports over theL2CAP protocol. Two device types exist that RFCOMM accommodates: Type 1devices (communication end points such as computer and printers); and,Type 2 devices (devices that are part of the communication segment suchas modems). On Type 1 devices, some port drivers must provide flowcontrol services as specified by the API they are emulation. Forexample, an application may request a particular flow control mechanismsuch as XON/XOFF or RTS/CTS and expect the port driver to handle theflow control. On Type 2 devices, the port driver may need to performflow control on the non-RFCOMM part of the communication path—thephysical RS-232 port.

The Service Discovery Protocol (SDP) provides a means for applicationsto discover which services are provided by or available through aBluetooth device. It also allows applications to determine thecharacteristics of those available services. A specific ServiceDiscovery protocol is required in the Bluetooth environment inasmuch asthe set of services that are available changes dynamically based on theRF proximity of Bluetooth-enabled devices which may be in motion. SDPuses a request/response model wherein each transaction consists of onerequest protocol data unit (PDU) and one response PDU. Every SDP PDUconsists of a PDU header followed by PDU-specific parameters. The headercontains three fields: a PDU ID which identifies the type of PDU; aTransactionID field which uniquely identifies request PDUs therebypermitting the matching of response PDUs to request PDUs; and, aParameterLength field that specifies the length (in bytes) of allparameters contained in the PDU.

SDP allows Bluetooth-enabled devices to discover what otherBluetooth-enabled devices have to offer in the way of services. Theprocess of looking for any offered services is generally referred to as“browsing”; “searching” generally refers to looking for a specificservice. In SDP, the mechanism for browsing for services is based on anattribute shared by all services classes called the BrowseGroupListattribute. The value of this attribute contains a list of UniversallyUnique Identifiers (UUIDs). Each UUID represents a browse group withwhich a service may be associated for the purpose of browsing.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which depicts a block diagram of anexemplary video conferencing system in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. In the example of FIG. 2, a video conferencingunit 200 in a conference room A is capable of establishing aradio-frequency PAN with various Bluetooth-enabled devices in conferenceroom A. In the present example, the Bluetooth-enabled devices in the PANin conference room A include a printer 220, a PDA 230, and a cellulartelephone 240. Other Bluetooth-enabled devices, including but notlimited to those described above in connection with FIG. 1, may beincluded in the PAN in conference room A.

Various layers of the video conferencing unit 200, including radio layer202, hardware layer 204, HCI layer 206, L2CAP layer 208, other Bluetoothstack components 210, and application layer 212 are depicted in FIG. 2.Additional layers may be included, such as those as described in theBluetooth specification, but are not illustrated for purposes ofsimplicity.

A network interface (NI) 214 is linked to the HCI layer 206 via channel216. The network interface 214 may operate according to the H.323standard for audio, video, and data communications across IP-basednetworks, including the Internet. The network interface 214 may alsooperate according to the H.320 standard for ISDN video conferencing. Thenetwork interface 214 may also operate according to other standards andprotocols, whether currently known or later developed. In accordancewith the present embodiment, channel 216 may comprise a proprietary RTPchannel for sending and receiving Bluetooth data.

The video conferencing unit 200 in conference room A is capable ofsending and receiving audio, video, and data via a broadband connection245, to and from a video conferencing unit 250 in conference room B,which is remote from conference room A. In the present example, thebroadband connection 245 may comprise, for example, a connection via anIP network or ISDN line. The conference connection 245 may comprise avideo channel, an audio channel, a control channel, and a Bluetoothchannel.

Various layers of the video conferencing unit 250, including radio layer252, hardware layer 254, HCI layer 256, L2CAP layer 258, other Bluetoothstack components 260, and application layer 262 are depicted in FIG. 2.Additional layers may be included, such as those as described in theBluetooth specification, but are not illustrated for purposes ofsimplicity.

A network interface 264 is linked to the HCI layer 256 via channel 266.In accordance with the present embodiment, channel 266 may comprise aproprietary RTP channel for sending and receiving Bluetooth data. Thenetwork interface 264 may operate according to the H.323 standard foraudio, video, and data communications across IP-based networks,including the Internet. The network interface 264 may also operateaccording to the H.320 standard for ISDN video conferencing. The networkinterface 264 may also operate according to other standards andprotocols, whether currently known or later developed.

The video conferencing unit 250 in conference room B is capable ofestablishing a radio-frequency PAN with various Bluetooth-enableddevices in conference room B. In the present example, theBluetooth-enabled devices in the PAN in conference room B include apersonal computer 270 (such as a handheld PC or a laptop PC, etc.) and aPDA 280.

Once a conference is connected, such as, for example, an H.323 or H.320video conference, the VCUs 200 and 250 exchange data pertaining to theirrespective capabilities. For example, VCU 200 may communicate that it isable to send and receive video, audio, and Bluetooth data, and VCU 250may also communicate that it is able to send and receive video, audio,and Bluetooth data.

Following the capabilities exchange, the act of device identification(also referred to as device discovery) is performed. Each of the VCUs200 and 250 performs a radio scan both locally and remotely, and theresults are collected and exchanged. Therefore, in the example of FIG.2, VCU 200 discovers local devices (printer 220, PDA 230, and cellulartelephone 240) and remote devices (PC 270 and PDA 280); VCU 250discovers local devices (PC 270 and PDA 280) and remote devices (printer220, PDA 230, and cellular telephone 240). All such devices (printer220, PDA 230, cellular telephone 240, PC 270, and PDA 280) appear as ifthey are in the same room and in the same radio network. Each device hasan address (e.g., a network address, etc.) and a set of attributes(e.g., what Bluetooth profile is supported such as headset profile, dataexchange profile, etc.).

In one exemplary illustration of the principles of the presentinvention, PDA 230 in conference room A and PDA 280 in conference room Bcan perform an RS232 data exchange and thereby exchange contactinformation in the form of electronic business cards via connection 245.The data exchange occurs as if they were in the same physical piconet,even though their respective physical locations may be hundreds orthousands of miles apart.

A method for exchanging contact information between Bluetooth PDAs maybe performed as follows. First, the PDAs each search for like devices.Next, a connection is established between the PDAs, such as PDA 230 andPDA 280 of FIG. 2. The data including the electronic business card data(which may be, for example, stored in vCard or text format) istransmitted pursuant to the device profiles. An application implementingthe exchange of such data may be based on the Object Push profilespecified in Bluetooth v1.1 profiles. Finally, the connection is closed.

In another exemplary illustration of the principles of the presentinvention, a conference participant can directly dial a video number ora phone number from his or her PDA 230, PDA 280, or cellular telephone240, etc. Users often store address books and contact information intheir PDAs and cellular telephones. Allowing users to directly dial suchnumbers advantageously allows users to keep their contact information ina central repository.

A method for directly dialing a number from a wireless device such as aBluetooth PDA may be performed as follows. First, a conferenceparticipant dials a video or audio number stored in the directory of hisor her PDA, such as PDA 230 of FIG. 2. The video conferencing unit 200includes a phone driver. The PDA 230 connects to the video conferencingunit 200 and sends the number over the Bluetooth link 216 to the videoconferencing unit 200, which subsequently dials the number.

In another exemplary illustration of the principles of the presentinvention, conference participants can synchronize a set of data such asaddress books or calendars stored in their wireless devices. Anapplication implementing the synchronization of such address book orcalendar data may be based on the Object Synchronization Profilespecified in Bluetooth v1.1 Profiles.

In another exemplary illustration of the principles of the presentinvention, conference participants may engage in collaborative drawing.For example, a near-end user may draw on his or her PDA and share thedrawing with the far end. An application implementing the drawingcollaboration is developed on top of the SDK (software development kit)of the specific PDA being used and is based on the particular profilethe SDK uses.

In another exemplary illustration of the principles of the presentinvention, an audio phone call can be added into a video conference. Theconferencing station, such as VCU 200, includes a built-in POTS-likeaudio port, for a Bluetooth cell phone, such as cellular telephone 240.The conferencing station acts as a Bluetooth headset, while theBluetooth cell phone acts as an audio gateway. An applicationimplementing this feature can be based on the Headset Profile (orHandsfree Profile) specified in Bluetooth v1.1 Profiles.

In another exemplary illustration of the principles of the presentinvention, a conference participant can draw on a whiteboard to show hisor her idea to other conference participants. Instead of moving thevideo camera to point to the whiteboard or using a wired whiteboard, theimage can be sent wirelessly to the VCU, which then transfers the imageto the far end and displays the drawing on a display device. Thus, aBluetooth whiteboard may join the PAN in conference room A, and drawingson the Bluetooth whiteboard may be viewed on a monitor in remotelylocated conference room B. An application implementing this feature canbe based on the Serial Port Profile and developed on top of theparticular whiteboard vendor's SDK.

In another exemplary illustration of the principles of the presentinvention, a conference participant may draw a diagram on a piece ofpaper using a Bluetooth pen such as that licensed by Anoto. A Bluetoothpen captures the image, and sends it over the Bluetooth link to thevideo conference unit. An application implementing this feature can bebased on Anoto's SDK.

In another exemplary illustration of the principles of the presentinvention, a more user-friendly way is provided for navigating UI (userinterface) items or receiving user input by using a Bluetooth-enabledmouse and keyboard. An application implementing this feature may bebased on the HID (human interface device) profile specified in Bluetoothv1.1 Profiles.

In another exemplary illustration of the principles of the presentinvention, audio data can be transferred wirelessly from aBluetooth-enabled microphone to the VCU base station. Whereas atraditional micpod is wire-connected to the base station, which makesroom integration harder, a wireless micpod may instead be used. Anapplication implementing this feature can be based on a proprietaryprotocol to achieve the highest data throughput out of the Bluetoothlink 216.

In another exemplary illustration of the principles of the presentinvention, an application running on the VCU provides the ability toprint files such as documents, slides, and business cards, etc. from thefar end during a conference. For example, a document stored on personalcomputer 270 in conference room B can be printed at printer 220 inremotely located conference room A. The application implementing thisfeature can be based on one or more of the following profiles whichprovide Bluetooth printing functionalities: Basic Printing Profile,Hardcopy Cable Replacement Profile, Basic Imaging Profile, PAN profile,Object Push Profile, or Serial Port Profile, etc., depending on theparticular printer.

In another exemplary illustration of the principles of the presentinvention, the above-described applications, e.g., synchronization,collaboration, etc., may be combined depending on what application youhave on your PC. Windows® and Mac OS provide some Bluetooth support.Applications can be based on the OS support and profiles, or used withthird-party applications.

FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of an exemplary video conferencing unitaccording to one embodiment of the invention. The video conferencingunit comprises a media processor 310 in data communication with aninterface 320 comprised of a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).Bluetooth module 330 is connected to antenna board 340 for RFcommunication and to interface 320 for data communication. A high-speedserial link may be used to connect Bluetooth module 330 and interface320. Bluetooth module 330 comprises software and code for communicatingaccording to the Bluetooth specification. Bluetooth module 330 maycomprise software for implementing any of the above-describedapplications for business card exchange, direct dialing, datasynchronization, drawing collaboration, adding an audio call, Bluetoothwhiteboard transmission, Bluetooth pen imaging, Bluetooth user inputs,wireless microphones, wireless printing, and wireless PC applications,among others. In other embodiments, communications may be carried outaccording to a different standard or protocol, such as UWB, 802.11, IR,or other wireless communication specification.

Various components shown in FIG. 3 may be external to the videoconferencing unit. For example, one or more of the cameras, monitors,microphones, speakers, and sub-woofer may be external to the videoconferencing unit.

While the present invention has been described with respect to a limitednumber of embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate numerousmodifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appendedclaims cover all such modifications and variations as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of this present invention.

1. A method of extending a wireless Personal Area Network (PAN), themethod comprising the acts of: establishing a first PAN comprising afirst PAN-enabled device and a first PAN-enabled conferencing unit;establishing a conferencing connection between the first PAN-enabledconferencing unit and a second PAN-enabled conferencing unit, whereinthe second PAN-enabled conferencing unit is at a location remote fromthe first PAN-enabled conferencing unit; establishing a second PANcomprising a second PAN-enabled device and the second PAN-enabledconferencing unit; and linking the first PAN to the second PAN via theconferencing connection.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, whereinthe first PAN-enabled device, the second PAN-enabled device, the firstPAN-enabled conferencing unit, and the second PAN-enabled conferencingunit each comply with the Bluetooth specification.
 3. The method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the conferencing connection comprises aBluetooth channel.
 4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein theconferencing connection comprises an ISDN line.
 5. The method as recitedin claim 1, wherein the conferencing connection comprises an InternetProtocol connection.
 6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein theconferencing connection comprises a broadband connection.
 7. The methodas recited in claim 1, wherein the first PAN-enabled conferencing unitcomprises a video conferencing unit.
 8. The method as recited in claim1, wherein the first PAN-enabled conferencing unit comprises an audioconferencing unit.
 9. A method of extending a wireless Personal AreaNetwork (PAN), the method comprising the acts of: establishing a firstPAN comprising a first Bluetooth-enabled device and a firstBluetooth-enabled video conferencing unit; establishing a second PANcomprising a second Bluetooth-enabled device and a secondBluetooth-enabled video conferencing unit, wherein the secondBluetooth-enabled video conferencing unit is at a location remote fromthe first Bluetooth-enabled video conferencing unit; establishing avideo conferencing connection between the first Bluetooth-enabledconferencing unit and the second Bluetooth-enabled video conferencingunit; and linking the first PAN to the second PAN via the videoconferencing connection.
 10. The method as recited in claim 9, whereinthe video conferencing connection comprises an audio channel, a videochannel, a control data channel, and a Bluetooth channel.
 11. The methodas recited in claim 9, wherein the video conferencing connectioncomprises an ISDN line.
 12. The method as recited in claim 9, whereinthe video conferencing connection comprises an Internet Protocolconnection.
 13. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the videoconferencing connection comprises a broadband connection.
 14. A methodof exchanging data via a wireless Personal Area Network (PAN), themethod comprising the acts of: establishing a first PAN comprising afirst PAN-enabled device and a first PAN-enabled video conferencingunit; establishing a second PAN comprising a second PAN-enabled deviceand a second PAN-enabled video conferencing unit, wherein the second PANenabled video conferencing unit is at a location remote from the firstPAN-enabled video conferencing unit; establishing a video conferencingconnection between the first PAN-enabled conferencing unit and thesecond PAN-enabled video conferencing unit; linking the first PAN to thesecond PAN via the video conferencing connection; determining respectivecapabilities of the first PAN-enabled video conferencing unit and thesecond PAN-enabled video conferencing unit; identifying one or moredevices in the first PAN; identifying one or more devices in the secondPAN; and transmitting data from the first PAN-enabled device to thesecond PAN enabled device.
 15. The method as recited in claim 14,wherein the data transmitted from the first PAN-enabled device to thesecond PAN-enabled device comprises an electronic business card.
 16. Themethod as recited in claim 14, wherein the data transmitted from thefirst PAN-enabled device to the second PAN-enabled device comprises animage drawn on a Bluetooth-enabled whiteboard.
 17. The method as recitedin claim 14, wherein the data transmitted from the first PAN-enableddevice to the second PAN-enabled device comprises an image drawn using aBluetooth-enabled pen.
 18. The method as recited in claim 14, whereinthe data transmitted from the first PAN-enabled device to the secondPAN-enabled device comprises an image drawn on a PDA.
 19. A conferencingsystem for enabling wireless communications via a virtual Personal AreaNetwork (PAN), the system comprising: a first wireless PAN comprising afirst PAN-enabled conferencing unit, a first PAN-enabled device, and asecond PAN-enabled device; and a second wireless PAN comprising a secondPAN-enabled conferencing unit, the first PAN-enabled device, and thesecond PAN-enabled device; wherein the first PAN-enabled conferencingunit and the first PAN-enabled device are at a first location; whereinthe second PAN-enabled conferencing unit and the second PAN-enableddevice are at a second location that is physically remote from the firstlocation; and wherein the first PAN-enabled conferencing unit and thesecond PAN-enabled conferencing unit are capable of communicating via aconference connection.
 20. The system as recited in claim 19, whereinthe conference connection comprises a Bluetooth channel.
 21. The systemas recited in claim 19, wherein the conference connection comprises anISDN line.
 22. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the conferenceconnection comprises an Internet Protocol connection.
 23. The system asrecited in claim 19, wherein the conference connection comprises abroadband connection.
 24. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein thefirst PAN-enabled device comprises a Personal Digital Assistant.
 25. Thesystem as recited in claim 19, wherein the first PAN-enabled devicecomprises a personal computer.
 26. The system as recited in claim 19,wherein the first PAN-enabled device comprises a mobile telephone. 27.The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the first PAN-enabled devicecomprises a camera.
 28. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein thefirst PAN-enabled device comprises a microphone.
 29. The system asrecited in claim 19, wherein the first PAN-enabled device comprises aspeaker.
 30. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the firstPAN-enabled device comprises a Bluetooth whiteboard.
 31. The system asrecited in claim 19, wherein the first PAN-enabled device comprises aBluetooth pen.
 32. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the firstPAN-enabled device comprises a printer.
 33. The system as recited inclaim 19, wherein the first PAN-enabled device comprises a mouse. 34.The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the first PAN-enabled devicecomprises a keyboard.
 35. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein thefirst PAN-enabled conferencing unit comprises a video conferencing unit.36. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the first PAN-enabledconferencing unit comprises an audio conferencing unit.